Comments about Master Digital Film and Animation - At the institution - London - Greater London
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Objectives
This is a highly successful practice based course that provides a broad-based approach to digital moving image and animation technologies. You are encouraged to explore the growing range of genres and applications of work from within the arts and industry. The course addresses both the needs of fine art and commercial imperatives, and will help you develop a wide range of skills. The course aims to foster innovation, visual creativity, experimentation, intellectual enquiry married to a high level of professional production values. We encourage you to discover and exploit innovative uses of the technology. You can specialise in 3D or 2D animation. The fusion of digital animation, blue screen, live action, rotoscoping and other techniques to produce 'hybrid' film forms is also encouraged. The course also provides a practical understanding of the principles of managing a small desktop digital studio. You gain a thorough technological grounding and develop an awareness of the critical, cultural and contextual implications of the digital moving image in all its forms. Throughout the course students produce several short digital films, many of which have won film competitions and been screened at international festivals. Students on the MA in Audio Visual Production (AVP) and the MA Digital Film and Animation (DFA) courses are encouraged to have a creative and supportive working relationship with each other. This synergy is reflected in the sharing of three modules across both courses. The MA AVP and DFA courses are located in two adjacent dedicated studios equipped with high definition editing and animation workstations.
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Entry requirements
Applicants would normally be expected to possess an Honours degree in fine arts, applied arts or design, or have equivalent experience. Graduates from related disciplines who can demonstrate a suitable level of visual literacy may, in some circumstances, be considered. All candidates must submit a portfolio and/or showreel. Students are also required to have their own PCs at home. Guidance and specification are given to successful applicants and regular 'surgeries' are held to help students maintain their own digital animation studio
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Academic title
MA Digital Film and Animation
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Course description
Course structure
The course is intensively taught on two days a week. The modules in Semester 1 provide a thorough technical and conceptual grounding in the relevant techniques, technologies and software skills required for realising 2D and/or 3D animation and digital film projects for broadcast. The Project modules in Semester 2 enable you to work within a specific genre such as:
-Digital Character Animation (3D and/or 2D)
-Music Video (Digital Moving Image and Sound)
-Experimental Digital Film Production
-Animation for the Marketplace
In addition there are Visiting Lecturers from prominent production house, artists and freelances from across the sector.
In the Major Project Module you produce a final film based on a Major Project Proposal developed during semester 2. This film is produced through independent study supported by regular group crits at the University, tutorials with staff and meetings with 'producers' who are mentors from industry usually over the summer study period.
Assessment
The main method of assessment is the 'crit' of practical project presentations, where work is evaluated by staff and peer group.
Facilities
The course has its own dedicated recently refurbished High Definition studio equipped with high specification computers and all the relevant software. Access to the studio is available 5 days a week from 9.00 - 8.30 p.m. In addition the course has a blue screen studio, professional high definition cameras and negotiated access to professional sounds studios.
The course is part of a 'suite' of MA's being developed within the Department around aspects of moving image and sound production. The studio is located next to that of the MA Audio Visual Production course. Both courses are involved in the organisation of external festivals such as The Big City Festival, Eat My Shorts and annual screenings of Major Project Films.
Career opportunities
Graduates typically gain employment in the film, broadcast, animation, post-production and games industry, as well as work as freelance animators or artists. Many students have had work screened at international festivals and won competitions, such as the Channel Mesh scheme and European Animator of the Year. Graduates can also progress to an MPhil or PhD.
Attendance & duration
Full-time: two semesters, two taught days with three days a week independent study and a summer study period (independent study). Total of 45 consecutive weeks in a calendar year
Part-time: two years and three months
Year one two semesters
Year two two semesters plus summer study period and one semester independent study
